Wilhelmina Jane ‘Minna’ Solling was born in Orange in 1878. Her mother, Jane, was the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs William West of Balmoral, Canobolas. The family relocated to the Hunter region in the early 1880s.
‘Minna’, as she became known, trained at Sydney Hospital between 1903 and 1907. Following her training she worked at Berrima District Hospital, Perth Public Hospital and Bowral Public Hospital, later becoming Matron of the Crown Street Women’s Hospital.
Part of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, ‘Minna’ nursed in Egypt, London and France. Her name was mentioned in despatches by General Sir Douglas Haig in 1916 and she was awarded the Royal Red Cross for her bravery.
Minna’s name appears on Wallalong Memorial, Maitland District Memorial and the honour roll of West Maitland Public School.
Two of Wilhelmena’s brothers, Eric Martin ‘Dick’ Solling and Reginald Solling also served during WWI. Eric was killed during the landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915.
Sydney Morning Herald, 17 June 1916, p. 8.
Nurse Solling
